Published: Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 9:22 p.m.

PALM COAST — The Flagler County sheriff's deputy who crashed a cruiser and killed a motorist last winter retained his driver's license and was fined $1,000 during a traffic court hearing last week, but his future with the agency will be decided by the sheriff once an internal affairs investigation is closed, a department spokesman said.

"We have started our own internal investigation and are still awaiting (the Florida Highway Patrol's) crash investigation report," said Sgt. Bob Weber, a sheriff's spokesman. "Once all investigations have been completed, they will be reviewed by (Sheriff Jim Manfre)."

Pacheco, who lived in Palm Coast, was driving his work van shortly after 6:30 a.m. heading west near West Black Point Road. At about the same time, authorities said a school bus was traveling east along S.R. 100 toward Indian Trails Middle School.

Crego, who was driving west and traveling at a speed exceeding 120 mph at times, had his emergency lights activated and was responding to a call in the area, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Crego's attorney, Mike Finesilver, said his client attempted to pass Pacheco's van but as he switched lanes, he saw the oncoming school bus. That's when he veered back onto the westbound lane.

Pacheco's van had slowed and Crego's vehicle rammed into it, causing it to flip several times, according to reports.

Pacheco was pronounced dead at the scene. Crego was transported to a local hospital where he received stitches for lacerations, Finesilver said.

During the traffic court hearing, the FHP traffic homicide investigator testified. The judge heard the evidence and agreed to withhold adjudication, which is different from a conviction in that it carries a lighter sentence.

The judge's decision meant Crego would not lose his driving privileges for six months, said Finesilver.

"I believe that was the appropriate sentence in this case," he said.

Crego has since been assigned to the Neighborhood Services Division, but he is prohibited from operating any agency vehicles while on or off duty and has no take-home-car privileges, Weber said.

Finesilver, an attorney with the Fraternal Order of Police, said the internal affairs investigation is standard procedure whenever there's an accident involving a deputy.

"The Sheriff's Office has been completely professional and fair during this process," Finesilver said.

<p>PALM COAST &mdash; The Flagler County sheriff's deputy who crashed a cruiser and killed a motorist last winter retained his driver's license and was fined $1,000 during a traffic court hearing last week, but his future with the agency will be decided by the sheriff once an internal affairs investigation is closed, a department spokesman said. </p><p>Deputy Christopher Crego, 31, pleaded no contest to careless driving in connection with the Feb. 13 fatal accident along State Road 100 that killed 64-year-old Eduardo Pacheco. </p><p>"We have started our own internal investigation and are still awaiting (the Florida Highway Patrol's) crash investigation report," said Sgt. Bob Weber, a sheriff's spokesman. "Once all investigations have been completed, they will be reviewed by (Sheriff Jim Manfre)." </p><p>Pacheco, who lived in Palm Coast, was driving his work van shortly after 6:30 a.m. heading west near West Black Point Road. At about the same time, authorities said a school bus was traveling east along S.R. 100 toward Indian Trails Middle School. </p><p>Crego, who was driving west and traveling at a speed exceeding 120 mph at times, had his emergency lights activated and was responding to a call in the area, according to the Sheriff's Office. </p><p>Crego's attorney, Mike Finesilver, said his client attempted to pass Pacheco's van but as he switched lanes, he saw the oncoming school bus. That's when he veered back onto the westbound lane. </p><p>Pacheco's van had slowed and Crego's vehicle rammed into it, causing it to flip several times, according to reports. </p><p>Pacheco was pronounced dead at the scene. Crego was transported to a local hospital where he received stitches for lacerations, Finesilver said. </p><p>During the traffic court hearing, the FHP traffic homicide investigator testified. The judge heard the evidence and agreed to withhold adjudication, which is different from a conviction in that it carries a lighter sentence. </p><p>The judge's decision meant Crego would not lose his driving privileges for six months, said Finesilver. </p><p>"I believe that was the appropriate sentence in this case," he said. </p><p>Crego has since been assigned to the Neighborhood Services Division, but he is prohibited from operating any agency vehicles while on or off duty and has no take-home-car privileges, Weber said. </p><p>Finesilver, an attorney with the Fraternal Order of Police, said the internal affairs investigation is standard procedure whenever there's an accident involving a deputy. </p><p>"The Sheriff's Office has been completely professional and fair during this process," Finesilver said.</p>